More information about infections

What are Infections?

An infection can occur when a foreign organism enters the body, causing disease or a range of symptoms and sometimes leading to more serious conditions. Organisms that can cause infections in the body, include substances such as viruses, bacterias, parasites, and fungi. It’s possible to contract infections in a variety of different ways. 

At Skincredible Dermatology, we can help you understand how to easily prevent and treat any issues related to infections. 

Types of Infections and Symptoms

In order to prevent the severe symptoms associated with some infections, it’s helpful to be familiar with the different types of infections that can be contracted through the environment and transmitted from person to person. Here are some common types of infections and causes: 

• Viral Infections - Infections from tiny, infectious organisms that enter the body. Viruses latch onto cells in the body as a host. There are many different kinds of viral infections. Some common or well-known viral infections include influenza, common cold, chickenpox, HPV or herpes, Ebola, measles, and rabies.
  

• Bacterial Infections - Caused by single-cell organisms, bacterial infections can be contracted from the environment through soil, water, and contaminated food. Some examples of bacterial infections include strep throat, UTIs, chlamydia, tuberculosis, Lyme disease, cholera, and tetanus. 
  

• Fungal Infections - A group of organisms found in things like yeast and mold. Fungal infections are sometimes big enough to be visible to the eye, such as when fungus grows on your bathroom ceiling. Some fungal infections that can cause illness include vaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot, fungal meningitis, and ringworm. 
  

• Parasitic Infections - Parasites cause infections by living off a host organism within the body. Several types of parasites can cause illnesses: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Some examples of parasitic infections are malaria, giardiasis, river blindness, scabies, and tapeworm infections.
  

Understanding the different types of infections is vital in proper diagnosis of symptoms and abnormalities. Talk to our Skincredible Dermatology team to learn more about prevention or treatment of infections.

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